NLD Says 'No' to Election

Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), on Monday decided against
registering for the general election this year, a party spokesman told The Irrawaddy.
“Without any objections, all the party leaders reached a consensus not to register the party and join the election
because the junta's election laws are unjust,” said senior party official Khin Maung Swe who attended the
meeting at the party's Rangoon headquarters. “We also agreed to call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and
all other political prisoners.”

Members of the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy gather at Rangoon's
headquarters before its central committee meeting on March 29. (Photo: AP)
Party officials said that the lawyer of detained leader Suu Kyi read out a message from Suu Kyi to the party
leaders at the meeting and said that “Daw Suu could not accept the party registering under the unjust laws, but
she said that neither she nor anyone else owns the party. Therefore, the party members have to make the
decision by themselves democratically.”
The party's 92-year-old party chairman, Aung Shwe, who recently voiced support for the party registering and
taking part in the election, did not join in the meeting, but instead sent a letter stating that he would follow Suu
Kyi's decision, according to the party spokesman.

Nearly 160 party representatives from across the country gathered at the party's headquarters to take part in
the meeting. The discussion mainly heard the views of the party's central committee members. Reportedly, only
one of them voiced the opinion that a political party “cannot be involved in politics without existing.”
“U Tin Wai from Kachin State expressed his opinion on party registration, but accepted the majority decision,”
said Ohn Kyaing, a party official. The election laws prohibit parties from having members who are currently in
detention, so a decision to register would have forced Suu Kyi out of the party.
About 50 party members wearing white T-shirts bearing a slogan saying “No” gathered in front of the party
compound. Female party members were also reportedly holding a large green gourd presented to them by Suu
Kyi last Tuesday through her lawyer. The word “No” is said to have been written on the gourd.
Although security was heightened with four riot police trucks deployed near the party headquarters, there were
no reports of harassment of NLD leaders by the authorities.
Before the meeting, several township representatives and party youth leaders declared that they will stand by
Suu Kyi's stance against registration, claiming that they can still struggle for democratic rights without a
political party.
The party decision would appear to ensure that the NLD will cease to exist as a legal entity as of the May 7
deadline for party registration, according to the election law.
Many observers are currently speculating what will become of the party after it ceases to be a valid political
entity, and what kind of action the regime will take against the NLD's leadership and its party members.
A political analyst in Rangoon, said that what the NLD does after May 7 would depend on the wit and wisdom
of the party leaders at the local level.
Reuters correspondent Martin Perry said, “The boycott, however, could backfire and marginalize the NLD,
possibly leading to its dissolution. Its credibility as a pro-democracy force will be questioned now it has
spurned the chance to be part of a political transition that the junta itself says will be lengthy and challenging.”
Perry said that the decision of the NLD “came as a disappointment to the international community, which has
long painted Suu Kyi and the NLD as the people's choice and the best hope for a democratic Myanmar
[Burma].”
In Suu Kyi's statement, she said that the party will not come to an end, and she also relayed a message to the
Burmese people saying that she will continue her efforts for democracy.
Last week, Suu Kyi reportedly told her lawyers that if the imprisoned former student leader Min Ko Naing
could fight for democracy in Burma without a political “signpost,” she could do the same.
Charismatic Min Ko Naing and several student activists of the 88 Generation Students group were arrested in
2007 and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

The election laws bar more than 2,000 political prisoners from taking part in the election which junta chief
Snr-Gen Than Shwe described as “the very beginning of the process of fostering democracy” in his speech on
Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on Saturday.
No date has been announced for the upcoming election, which critics have called a sham designed to keep the
military in power through the facade of an elected government.
The NLD won a landslide victory in Burma's last election in 1990, but the results were never honored by the
regime. Party leader Suu Kyi is currently serving an 18-month term of house arrest. With her sentence due to
expire in November, Suu Kyi would not be released before the polls expected in October.
Source :http://irrawaddy.org/highlight.php?art_id=18143&page=1

NLD not to re-register with Election Commission

(Mizzzima) - In a significant decision, which may have far reaching consequences in Burmese politics, the main
opposition party the National League for Democracy has decided not to re-register with the Election
Commission for the 2010 general elections, following hectic parleys by the party brass at a meeting today.

"After a vote of the committee of members, the NLD party has decided not to register as a political party
because the election laws are unjust," National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman Nyan Win told
reporters at the party headquarters in Rangoon.

The decision not to contest the election was decided unanimously at a meeting of members of the Central
Executive Committee and Central Committee of States and Divisions, after heated debates both in the party
fold and in Burmese political circles.

"Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, who was released from house arrest

recently, announced two decisions taken at the meeting. One
was not to register the party and another was not to abolish the
party although it is not being registered," said a youth leader
who was waiting for the party decision in front of the party
office.

However, Aung Shwe, chairman of Burma’s National League

for Democracy did not turn up for the meeting of the party
brass today, for a crucial decision on whether the party would
re-register with the Election Commission.

A hundred and thirteen members of the party's Central

Executive Committee and Central Committee attended the meeting today, except Aung Shwe (the chairman), U
Lwin (secretary) and Lun Tin (CEC member).

Sources in the party told Mizzima that Aung Shwe had sent a message since yesterday, which said he would
abide by the decision of detained party general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi.

The junta’s electoral laws announced on March 8, states if NLD wants to re-register, it must expel the general
secretary Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 18 months under house arrest, 10 members of the Central Committee
and other party members accounting for 430 odd.

If the NLD, 12 million members at a highest point, does not re-register within the 60 day deadline that ends on
May 7, it’ll cease to exist automatically. There is a heated debate on among party leaders whether the party
should be re-register.

On March 13, the leader of the party, Suu Kyi told her lawyers that she didn’t want the party to be re-registered.

During the meeting of NLD’s leaders, near the Shwegondine traffic light, two trucks of security men and two
fire trucks were stationed. In the campus of the B.E.H.S (3) Bahan, there were eight trucks of security forces.

Source :http://mizzima.com/news/election-2010/3739-nld-not-to-re-register-with-election-commission.html

Exile Groups Support NLD Rejection of Registration

Several exiled political groups on Monday encouraged the National League for Democracy (NLD) to reject
party registration and not take part in the Burmese election this year, saying they will continue to support the
NLD leadership.
The NLD announced its decision to not register as a political party on Monday evening, after a day-long
meeting of key members in Rangoon.
Aung Moe Zaw, the chairman of the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), on Monday told The
Irrawaddy, “If the NLD supports Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's decision [not to register], we'll unconditionally
support the NLD and the NLD itself will remain in a leading role among political groups.”
“If the NLD decides to register, it would be difficult for the exiled groups to accept the NLD's decision,” said
Aung Moe Zaw.
The DPNS, founded in 1989, is one of the leading democratic parties in Burma's struggle for democracy, and it
took part in the 1990 election.
Khun Myint Tun, a member of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, said, “All the
political groups in exile have agreed with the NLD's strong position, upholding the Shwegondaing Declaration.
If the NLD continues to uphold its Shwegondaing Declaration, we'll continue to support the NLD.”
Meanwhile, NLD central executive committee members and about 160 party representatives from across the
country, met on Monday at the party's headquarter in Rangoon to decide if the NLD would register as a
political party to contest the upcoming election. If it fails to register, it could be dissolved.
“The majority of the NLD members across the country will decide against registration after Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi clearly announced her opinion on the election,” said Moe Zaw Oo, an NLD (Liberated Area) foreign affairs
committee member.
According to the election laws, all political parties must register or face dissolution.
The NLD's decision is expected to influence the decision of many ethnic minority groups, including ethnic
cease-fire groups.
David Htaw, a Karen politician and the general secretary of the Ethnic Nationalities Council, said, “If the NLD
decides to register, the trust of all ethnic groups will suffer.”
He said the NLD will exist as long as it stands on the side of the people, and the international community will
not be silent if the NLD is dissolved.
Dr. Naing Aung, the executive director of the Network for Development and Democracy, said, “The NLD, as a
leading party, should go against the military government. We should boycott the 2010 election.”
Source :http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18147

NLD Will be Gagged: Media Sources

Burmese publications have reportedly been told by the regime's Press Scrutiny Board that they can carry
special election sections provided they don't report on political parties that fail to register.
Sources say the decision expected to be taken on Monday by leaders of the National League for Democracy
(NLD) whether or not to register can be reported in the media. But if the NLD decides not to register there will
be a black-out on any future coverage of its activities.
Many publications are now carrying special sections devoted to election news and interviews. Media sources
say most of them—including The Myanmar Times, Biweekly Eleven, Modern and 7 Day News—have had
articles rejected by the censors because they touched on sensitive issues related to the election.
According to sources in Rangoon, a “special security force” has been established to oversee the work of the
Press Scrutiny Board during the election period.
The censorship board must submit any written material on the election to the new group before allowing it to
be published. The group comprises high-ranking officials, including Lt-Gen Myint Swe, who is close to junta
head Sen-Gen Than Shwe.
The Press Scrutiny Division announced on March 17 that registered parties could publish election-related news,
but with certain conditions.
One condition requires them to apply to the censorship board, within 90 days of their registration, for
permission to publish election-related material.
Source :http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18148

Junta on Collision Course with Asia

The Burmese military junta could be facing a diplomatic showdown with its Asian allies such as China and
Japan after it rejected the international community’s calls for an inclusive political process by marginalizing
the opposition in its Political Party Registration laws.
Japan is due to raise Burma‘s current political situation on the sidelines of the G-8 foreign ministerial meeting
in Canada, which kicks off on Monday, said Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at a press conference on
Friday.
He warned that Japan will not expand its economic aid to Burma if pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
still barred from the election which due to take place this year. He said that he had made Tokyo's stance clear to
Burmese ambassador Hla Myint.
“This clearly differs from a free election where all stakeholders can participate, such as Japan wishes,” said
Okada at the press conference.
Tokyo is one of Burma’s largest donors. According to the Japanese Overseas Development Assistance’s Web
site, Japan granted more than Yen 1.5 billion (US $16 million) to the country in 2009. Like other countries in
Asia, Japan repeatedly called for inclusiveness in the Burmese election.
Other Asian countries, such as China and some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean), spoke of their frustrations at Burma’s political process last week at the United Nations during a
meeting of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar [Burma] in New York.
“The group stressed the need for elections to be inclusive, participatory and transparent in order to advance the
prospects of stability, democracy and development for all the people of Myanmar,” said UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon.
The group includes Australia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Thailand,
the UK, the US, Vietnam and the president of the EU, a position currently occupied by Spain.
Perhaps highlighting Beijing’s concern over potential political instability in Burma, the Chinese state-run
Xinhua news agency reported the group's call.
Ruling generals in the remote capital of Naypyidaw are still likely be under diplomatic pressure in the coming
weeks over the divisive electoral laws during foreign visits to the country.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa is scheduled to visit Burma on March 30. Natalegawa’s main
agenda is likely to include explaining international concerns over Burma's political situation to the military
generals.
His visit to Burma comes a few days before Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao travels to Indonesia. Diplomatic
sources said the Chinese leader is also expected to visit Burma in the near future.
Both Wen and Natalegawa are expected to raise their concerns with Naypyidaw over Burma’s electoral process
and other issues, such as tensions with ethnic cease-fire groups.
Although Beijing rarely criticizes the Burmese regime publicly, Chinese officials have reportedly aired their
concerns during bilateral talks, particularly after mass demonstrations were violently suppressed in Rangoon in
September 2007, Chinese analysts have said.
The Indonesian minister’s trip to Burma precedes the 16th Summit of Asean on April 8-9 in Hanoi. With
growing international condemnation of the electoral laws, Burmese politics will likely once again be a hot issue
at the Asean summit.
The Burmese junta could also face an international dressing down from Vietnam in its position as Asean chair
and a member of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will visit Burma on April 2-4. Dung is scheduled to meet junta
supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe and Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein.
However, Than Shwe warned the international community to distance itself from Burma’s election during a
speech before 13,000 troops marking the 65th anniversary of Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw.
“During the transition to an unfamiliar system, countries with greater experience usually interfere and take
advantage for their own interest. For this reason, it is absolute necessity to avoid relying on external powers,”
he said.
Source :http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18149

Hpakant jade firms forced to donate funds for ‘Armed Forces Day’
The Burmese military junta’s strong arm tactics has forced jade mining companies in Hpakant jade land in
Kachin State, northern Burma to cough up money for the 65th Burmese Armed Forces Day in the Northern
Regional Command in capital Myitkyina on March 27, said jade
company sources.
On the orders of the Northern Regional Commander Maj-Gen Soe
Win, who is close to the ruling junta’s No. 2 man Vice Snr-Gen
Maung Aye, army officers collected funds from jade mining
companies in Hpakant, just before the Tatmadaw Day, or Armed
forces Day in the Northern Command, sources added.

Hpakant jade mine, western Kachin State,
Northern Burma. Photo: Kachin News Group.
Jade company sources told Kachin News Group, the amount in cash
was collected depending on the size and financial strength of
companies--- at least 200,000 Kyat (US$204) each for small
companies, between 500,000 Kyat (US$510) and 1,000,000 Kyat
(US$1,020) each for medium-sized companies while large
companies gave 1,500, 000 Kyat (US$1,531) upwards each.
All jade mining companies had to pay the demanded amount to the fund collectors of the Burmese Army,
added local jade companies.

Sources close to NC told KNG today, the collected fund was also sent for the anniversary day’s military parade
in capital Naypyitaw.

In November, last year, th Burmese junta collected 2.5 million Kyat (US$2,551) from each jade company in
Hpakant in the name of transforming the New Democratic Army-Kachin to the Border Guard Force under the
control of the Burmese Army.

Currently, there are over 200 jade mining companies in Hpakant. The junta annually earns the third highest
foreign revenue from Kachin jade sale.

Source :http://kachinnews.com/News/Hpakant-jade-firms-forced-to-donate-funds-for-%E2%80%98Armed-
Forces-Day%E2%80%99.html

Kidnappers Demand 20 Million Kyat from Tribal Family

3/29/2010

Dhaka: An armed gang of kidnappers has demanded 20 million kyat from a tribal Arakanese Khami family in
Buthidaung Township after kidnapping the head of the family at gunpoint, said a relative of the victim.

"The armed kidnappers took our uncle from Thapyu Gyi Village on 6 March, 2010, along with two other
villagers. Now they are asking for 20 million kyat from my uncle's family for ransom," he said.

51-year-old U Tha Zan, a wealthy man in the village of Thapyu Kyi in Kha Mong Chaung Village Tract in
northern Buthidaung Township, was kidnapped by a group of armed kidnappers from his village while he was
home with his family on the night of 6 March, 2010.

The village is located along the Burma - Bangladesh border and most of the families in the village are ethnic
Khami.

He said, "The other two villagers - one is a village council member and another is U Tha Zan's relative - were
released a few days after the kidnapping, but the kidnappers asked for 20 million kyat for U Tha Zan as a
ransom."

The kidnappers are from an Arakanese guerrilla group living in hideout camps in Bangladesh territory near the
Burmese border, he said.

A monk from the border area confirmed the incident, saying, "A group of U Tha Zan's family came to the
Bangladesh border to inquire about the whereabouts of U Tha Zan at present. They are likely to give some
amount of ransom to the kidnappers for the release of U Tha Zan."

According to a family source, the family of U Tha Zan has not reported the kidnapping to local Burmese army
officials in the area out of fear that the kidnappers would kill him in retaliation. Because of this, the family is
also now worried about punishment from army officials for failing to report the crime to the concerned
authorities.

It was also learned that such kidnappings happen occasionally in the area, but they families typically pay the
requested ransom and the incidents are resolved quietly. This time the requested ransom is far higher than the
family is able to pay, so news of the kidnapping is spreading among the Arakanese community in Bangladesh.
Source :http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=2538
 Than Shwe Tries to End Suu Kyi's Political Role
Freedom and justice can’t be expected under the rule of a military regime, and Burma is no exception.

After two-decades of military rule, the junta has produced hundreds of unjust laws to repress political
activists and to restrict the freedom of the people.
It's no surprise that the recent election laws included new restrictions on the election process. However, what
is surprising to Burma watchers is that the new Political Parties Registration Law even goes beyond the 2008
Constitution.
Chapter 15 titled “General Provision” is the last chapter of the Constitution. Article 449 reads: “This
Constitution is the Basic Law of all the laws of the Union.”

Article 407 of the Constitution is titled “The Right of Non-existence of Political Parties.” The article identifies
four types of people who are prohibited from forming a political party: people who are part of unlawful
associations; people who have direct or indirect contact with insurgent groups; people who receive funds or
material support from a foreign government, association or a foreigner; and people who abuse religion for
political purposes.
The Constitution doesn't say anything about a political party not being formed by a political prisoner or a
prisoner serving as a member of a party.
However, Article 4/e of the Political Parties Registration Law reads: “People who are serving a prison term
cannot form a political party,” and Article 10/e reads: “People who are serving a prison term cannot be a
member of a political party.”
Those two electoral rules, observers believe, are directed specifically at Aung San Suu Kyi and are intended to
exclude her from the election process.
Indeed, Snr-Gen Than Shwe's ultimate aim is to eliminate Suu Kyi from Burmese politics entirely, and Chief
Justice Aung Toe and the whole judiciary system has helped carry out the general's desire.
Suu Kyi's fame at home and abroad has always been a sore point for Than Shwe. What makes it even worse is
that a woman has been able to defy him, the leader of a 450,000-man army.
Than Shwe tried to create a Constitution and election laws which will in effect put an end to Suu Kyi active role
in Burmese politics.
Step 1 was to create a Constitutional barrier to her becoming president or a member of parliament.
Step 2, was to renew her sentence of house arrest to cover the election period.
Step 3 was to create a political party registration law that causes her to be expelled from the NLD or causes the
party to be dissolved.
As expected by the junta, the NLD leadership is now divided over the issue of party registration, with Chairman
Aung Shwe, and Khin Maung Swe, expressing a desire to re-register the party.
However, Suu Kyi called for her party to reject registration and not to participate in the election.
It's likely the NLD Party, as we know it, will be dissolved. It's possible that an NLD proxy party could take part
in the election.
Suu Kyi, after her release, probably will not have the NLD party to give her a platform to express her views, but
there's no doubt that the Burmese public and the international community will still look to her for leadership.
She can be expected to continue down the road first walked on by her father, Aung San, the founder of post-
colonial Burma.
As Suu Kyi always said, this is the road to democracy.
Source :http://irrawaddy.org/opinion_story.php?art_id=18150